Yanito Dictionary

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B

BABIA : Should be BABILONIA, "Estar en Babia" to be in Dreamland.

BAIRO : Should be BIRO. This is just the trade name of a Ballpoint pen which is called BOLIGR AFO in Spanish.

BAMBO : Should be BUMBO AT, Vendor boat which used to go out into the bay to sell Souvenirs to the Tourists onboard the many Liners which used to call at Gibraltar.

BARRACA : Should be TIENDA DE CAMPANA or Tent. A BARRACA is a Hut or Cabin.

BARRING : BARRIL Spanish for BARREL.

BARTOLEO : From TIRARSE A LA BARTOLA, to take is easy. Also to skive.

BASHE : Should be BATCHES, "Por Bashe" i.e., in batches or lots.

BATEA : Name given to the In & Out Trays found in Ministry of Defence offices in Gibraltar It is curious to note that these are called Dips in the Gibraltar Government offices. The Spanish for Tray is BANDFJA.

BATEA : Should be BANDEJA a serving tray.

BATEAR : To be batting in Cricket. From BATE Spanish for Bat. "Estoy BATEANDO".

BEKI : Should be BACON. Tocino in Spanish, nowadays called BEICON. It can also refer to a chap who's a nuisance. "Esta hecho un tio BEKI!"

BERBERISCA : Local Jewish nickname for a Homosexual, could be derivative from BEREBERE, Berber; Nomadic tribe from the Desert.

BEZIMS : Local Jewish nickname for Balls (Testicles). Outs, Cojones, Huevos.

BISHA: Should be SERPIENTE, or Snake.

BLACKSTRAP or BLACKDRAUGHT : The name of a very common Purgative which was the most dreaded of threats which could be made to a young ragamuffin. See also BLACKSTRAP in Place Names.

BLAIN : Should be BLINDS for the windows which in Spanish are PERSIANAS.

BOBILIBOBILI : Origin unknown, meaning for free, Basksish, de Balde. Spanish BOBILIS, meaning Free.

BOILA : Should be BOILER, Caldera. A common misnomer is saying "El Boila del agua caliente." Which means "The hot water boiler !" What else was the boiler going to boil if not water.

BOLILLA : Should be CARAMELO or Sweet.

BOLLO : Should be PANECILLO, or Breadroll.

BOLLO : Should be ABOLLADURA, a Dent.

BOLQUETA or BORQUETA : Should be VOLQUETA from VOLQUETE or Tipcart. "Ester Bolqueta." Meaning to be broke, or skint.

BRIQUE : From the square shape of a kind of bread resembling a BRICK.

BUFA : Should be POMPA or BURBUJA, Bubble. The term POMPORA is also sometimes used. BUFA is also used to denominate the inner tube of a football. Hence the popular saying "Con mas parches que la Bufa de al Balona".

BUFARDA : Should be PARACHOQUES, Fender. Name given to the fenders on tug boats.

BULLA : "Voy de BULLA" meaning "I am in a hurry". Should be "Voy de PRISA". The word BULLA means a Crowd or an Uproar.